Ottawa | national capital, Canada | Britannica.com national capital, Canada Ottawa Senators Ottawa, city, capital of Canada , located in southeastern Ontario . In the eastern extreme of the province, Ottawa is situated on the south bank of the Ottawa River across from Gatineau , Quebec , at the confluence of the Ottawa (Outaouais), Gatineau , and Rideau rivers. The Ottawa River (some 790 miles [1,270 km] long), the principal tributary of the St. Lawrence River , was a key factor in the city’s settlement and development; its watershed, covering more than 57,000 square miles (148,000 square km), facilitated the transport of resources such as furs, timber, and minerals from the region. The river’s Chaudière Falls, just west of the Rideau Canal , while initially a navigational hazard for the fur trade and later for the transport of logging rafts, ultimately proved to be an asset in the production of hydroelectric power for the city and a boon to the growth of industry. Examining why Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the Canadian capital.

© Library of Parliament (Canada) (A Britannica Publishing Partner) Rideau Canal and Parliament Buildings, Ottawa. © Creatas/JupiterImages Originally a trading and lumbering community that grew into a town of regional significance, Ottawa was named the capital of the Province of Canada in 1857 and retained that status when Canada became a dominion within the British Commonwealth in 1867. Because of its location on the boundary between English-speaking Ontario and French-speaking Quebec and its position as national capital, Ottawa is one of the most bilingual cities in the country. Area city, 1,077 square miles (2,790 square km); Ottawa-Gatineau metro. area, 2,427 square miles (6,287 square km). Pop. (2006) 812,129; Ottawa-Gatineau metro. area, 1,133,633; (2011) 883,391; Ottawa-Gatineau metro. area, 1,236,324. The Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, Ontario.

© Library of Parliament (Canada)/Karen Cooper (A Britannica Publishing Partner) History Edmonton The earliest inhabitants of the Ottawa region were members of the Algonquin First Nation (Native Americans), who established settlements in the Ottawa River valley. The tribe known as the Ottawa (Outaouais), however, settled in the area for only a short period during the mid-1600s; their traditional territory was considerably farther west on Lake Huron . They were well known as traders (the name Ottawa is believed to be derived from an Algonquian word meaning “to trade”), and they took part in the local fur trade. French explorer Samuel de Champlain taking an observation with his astrolabe on the Ottawa River, … The Granger Collection, New York The first descriptions of Ottawa’s future site were written in 1613 by the founder of New France , Samuel de Champlain . The rivers served as passageways for explorers and fur traders over the following two centuries. In 1763 France ceded all of New France east of the Mississippi River to Great Britain under the Treaty of Paris .

The Napoleonic Wars (1792–1815) increased Britain’s need for shipbuilding timber, and the Ottawa River valley offered just such resources. In 1800 a group of farmers from Massachusetts led by Philemon Wright established the area’s first permanent town, Wrightsville, north of the Ottawa River. (It was incorporated in 1875 as the city of Hull , now part of Gatineau.) Wright began harvesting trees in 1806, giving rise to a timber trade that attracted lumberjacks and other itinerant workers. Permanent settlement on the south bank of the river did not occur until the following decade, when, during the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States , it became apparent that the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and Kingston , Ontario, was vulnerable to attack as both a military and an economic target. The British proposed turning the Rideau River into a canal to serve as an alternate shipping and transportation route, diverting traffic up the Ottawa River to Chaudière Falls and back down to Kingston. Lieut. Col.

John By of the Royal Engineers was in charge of constructing the more than 126-mile- (203-km-) long canal (1826–32). He also surveyed and laid out a town site on the south bank as a place of residence for his workers and himself; that village became known as Bytown. It was incorporated as a town in 1850 and as the city of Ottawa in 1855. Britannica Stories Scientists Ponder Menopause in Killer Whales The Rideau Canal was never used as a military route, but its importance in the transportation of timbers, goods, and people was the main factor in the city’s early growth, especially during the period of high U.S. demand for forest products that lasted through the 1800s. Political unrest within Britain’s Canadian colonies (including armed rebellion in 1837) resulted in Britain’s unification of the separate colonies of Upper and Lower Canada into one province, the Province of Canada (1841).

When it came time to designate a capital for united Canada, however, political quarrels between rival cities, such as between Quebec city and Toronto and between Montreal and Kingston, induced leaders to call upon Queen Victoria to settle the question. The queen selected Ottawa in late 1857. Although Ottawa was a strong candidate because of its location and its accessibility by rail, the choice still surprised many, given the city’s relatively small size and its identification primarily with the processing and distribution of lumber. When the Dominion of Canada was formed a decade later, Ottawa remained the capital, and it continued to grow as a major administrative centre. Parliament Buildings, Ottawa. Exploring Canada: Fact or Fiction? A large portion of Ottawa was razed by a fire in 1900 that destroyed Hull, and in 1916 another fire consumed most of the Parliament Buildings . Reconstruction began soon afterward, and the Centre Block was completed in 1922. The growth of civil service jobs was slow but expanded in response to events such as World War I , the institution of an income tax, the Great Depression of the 1930s, and World War II .

Still, the capital city, to all appearances, remained an industrial pulp and paper mill town, with smokestacks and railways dominating the waterfront. In 1937 Prime Minister William L. Mackenzie King brought architect Jacques Gréber from France to begin the redevelopment of the national capital district. The plan was to “beautify” Ottawa and bring its appearance and amenities more into line with those expected of a capital city. It included the provision of large areas of parkland in and around the federal government buildings and a greenbelt around the city’s perimeter to control urban growth. It also called for the removal of rail lines and industry from the urban centre. With the interruption of World War II, Gréber’s plan was not completed until 1950. Its implementation began through the creation of the National Capital Commission (NCC) by an act of Parliament (1958) and, about the same time, the creation of the National Capital Region, which involved the federal government’s acquisition of some 1,800 square miles (4,700 square km) of land on both the Quebec and the Ontario sides of the Ottawa River.

Federal administrative buildings were decentralized, moving to locations on both sides of the river. The contemporary city Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest Ottawa’s metropolitan area spans the Ottawa River, including Ottawa on the Ontario side and Gatineau on the Quebec side of the river. The climate is continental, with warm, humid summers and cold, usually snowy winters. Temperatures average in the mid-teens F (about 10 °C) in January and in the low 70s F (about 21 °C) in July. Ottawa City Hall. © Creatas/JupiterImages Ottawa was divided by Lieut. Col. John By in 1827 into two main sections—the Upper Town and the Lower Town—although these are further subdivided into neighbourhoods. The best-known of these in the Upper Town is Parliament Hill, the seat of the Canadian federal government; overlooking the Ottawa River and the canal, the Parliament Buildings comprise three blocks of turreted Gothic Revival granite structures. The most iconic of these, the Centre Block, is home to the House of Commons and features the 300-foot (90-metre) Peace Tower.

(The East and West blocks are administrative buildings.) Across the canal from the Parliament is the Château Laurier, a landmark hotel (1912) built in the French Renaissance style. The Lower Town, located east of the Rideau Canal, historically the working-class district, is an ethnically diverse region that includes ByWard Market—the site of the country’s oldest open-air market as well as boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, and pubs—and the Glebe, an upscale neighbourhood popular with diners and shoppers. Overlooking the Ottawa River toward the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel (left) and the … © Vlad Ghiea/Shutterstock.com Exploring the history of the Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. © Library of Parliament (Canada) (A Britannica Publishing Partner) Learn about the importance of the Peace Tower Carillon in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. © Library of Parliament (Canada) (A Britannica Publishing Partner) Britannica Lists & Quizzes Editor Picks: Exploring 10 Types of Basketball Movies The federal government is Ottawa’s major employer.

A large number of jobs are also provided by the technology sector; a number of telecommunications, software, defense and security, biotechnology, and wireless companies are located in the capital region. Many commercial and financial associations as well as embassies and trade groups have their headquarters or offices in the city. As the national capital, it is also the site of federal government institutions such as the Bank of Canada , the Royal Canadian Mint, the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Queen’s Printer. Bank of Canada headquarters, Ottawa. d.neuman The Supreme Court Building, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Peregrine981 Ottawa is well served by transportation systems, including railroads that provide frequent passenger service, a good network of expressways, and major roads in and around the metropolitan area. There are also an international airport and two regional airports. Regional mass transit is centred on a system of dedicated bus rapid-transit lines (i.e., lines that run on their own roadways) and a light-rail line (O-Train). The Capital Pathway, a network of more than 130 miles (220 km) of recreational paths throughout the metropolitan area, serves bicyclists and pedestrians.

Ottawa has many public and private universities, colleges, and professional schools. The leading universities are the University of Ottawa (1848), a bilingual institution, and Carleton University (1942), where instruction is conducted entirely in English. The Ottawa campus of Algonquin College (1967) grants degrees and certificates in technical and applied subjects. Cultural institutions include the National Gallery of Canada (a multidisciplinary, bilingual arts centre that includes an opera house and two theatres), the Canada Science and Technology Museum, the Canadian War Museum, the Diefenbunker (a Cold War museum), the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Bytown Museum. The Canadian Museum of Civilization is across the river in Gatineau. Other attractions include Library and Archives Canada (the national archives), the Parliament Buildings, and Parliament Hill, along with nearby Sparks Street, a designated historic street that was the first outdoor pedestrian mall in Canada. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. © Creatas/JupiterImages Open Door policy The Rideau Canal remains a functional canal, though it is used mainly by pleasure craft. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 in recognition of its unique design and historical significance.

In winter the canal freezes and becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s longest skating rink. Skating on the canal is a highlight of Ottawa’s Winterlude (each February), a winter-themed celebration presented annually since 1979. Featuring winter sports, music, and snow sculpting, it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Other popular annual festivals are Canada Day (July 1) and the Canadian Tulip Festival (May), a celebration originated by the royal family of the Netherlands , who took refuge in Ottawa during World War II and afterward presented the city with a gift of 100,000 tulip bulbs. Ice skaters on the Rideau Canal, Ottawa. Bettmann/Corbis Children celebrating Canada Day in Ottawa. CP/AP Ottawa has many opportunities for outdoor activities in its large tracts of parkland and green spaces as well as in nearby Gatineau Park, an extensive public park on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River. At the professional sports level, Ottawa is home to the Senators of the National Hockey League and the Redblacks of the Canadian Football League .

Among famous Canadians born in Ottawa are singer Alanis Morissette , actor Dan Aykroyd, and author Margaret Atwood . Photographer Yousuf Karsh did much of his best-known work while based in Ottawa. National Hockey League game between the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dave Sanford/Getty Images Where is Ottawa Located, in Ontario, Canada Map showing where is Ottawa located in Ontario on Canada Map Where is Ottawa in Ontario Ottawa lies in northeast of North America, in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Interestingly, it is originally known as 'Ville-Marie', or 'City of Mary'; however, the present name of city is derived from Mont-Royal. The official language of the city is French. It is the second largest French speaking city in the world after Paris. Surprisingly, Montreal has been consistently maintaining good position in the list of world's most livable cities. It is also known as "Canada's Cultural Capital" given by Monocle Magazine. Furthermore, it is also named as 'UNESCO City of Design'. Moreover, at present, Montreal is the center of aerospace, finance, business, commerce, pharmaceuticals, technology, culture, film, and tourism.

As per the report given by 2009 preliminary rankings of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Montreal was named as number one host city for international association events of North America. Interesting Facts about Ottawa Ottawa Coordinates: 45.4214° N, 75.6919° W Location: South-East Incorporated: 1855 (as City of Ottawa) Population of Ottawa: 883,391 (2011) Area: 1,073 sq miles (2,778 km²) Area codes: 613, 343, & 819 Climate: Humid Continental Climate Founded in 1826 as Bytown Major Rivers: Ottawa River, the Gatineau River and the Rideau River Postal code: K0A, K1A-K4C Time zone: Eastern (EST) (UTC−5) / Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4) Shootings in Ottawa on Wednesday, Oct 22, 2014 There have been three shooting incidents in Ottawa - at the Ottawa’s Rideau Centre, the National War Memorial and Parliament Hill.

Canadian parliament in lockdown after shooting Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper was scheduled to meet Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai today, his office says. Mall is in "full lock down until further notice" and several embassies and legislative buildings around the country have boosted security. Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper was evacuated from the building and is safe. Canadian soldier shot at Ottawa’s War Memorial has died, according to two Canadian Members of Parliament. Canadian officials seek FBI help President Barack Obama offers help to Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harperany for any assistance needed in responding to these attacks. Canadian lawmakers are hailing Parliament's sergeant-at-arms as a hero in gun attack. Some people still are locked inside their offices in buildings on Parliament Hill, though police are searching the area and releasing people as they go, Canadian lawmaker John McKay told to media. Where is Ottawa, ON? / Where is Ottawa, ON Located in The World? / Ottawa Map - WorldAtlas.com Rideau Canal A must see for anyone visiting Ottawa, this 202 km (126 miles) waterway stretches from Kingston on Lake Ontario to Ottawa and encompasses a series of lakes and rivers, connected by canals.

Opened in 1832 and built by hand, the Rideau Canal is one of Ottawa's oldest landmarks. During warm summer days, a wide range of vessels glide along the waterway, including tour boats, while during winter time people flock to the Ottawa Reach, where the lock is lowered to create the World's Longest Skating Rink. Parliament Hill One of the most significant heritage sites in Canada and an attraction for everyone visiting Ottawa, Parliament Hill offers daily tours around its premises. Conveniently located in the middle of downtown Ottawa, the magnificent Gothic revival building houses the offices of the members of the Parliament, House of Commons and the Senate. Tours allow inside views of the House of Commons, the Senate and the newly renovated Library of Parliament. Tours of the East Block are also available, with insights into the restored offices of some of the Fathers of Confederation. Canadian Museum of Civilization This visually impressive museum designed by Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal is the nation's most popular museum. The exhibits within tell the history of Canada , beginning with the First Nations and their iconic totem poles and other artifacts, then moving on to the chronological depiction of Canada's history beginning with the arrival of the Vikings.

Discover interesting facts through replicas of fortified settlements, human-size models and intriguing tableaux of native and pioneer life. The museum is also home to the Canadian Children's Museum and the Canadian Postal Museum. Learn the basics about visiting Ottawa, Canada Top Ottawa Attractions | Ottawa Tulip Festival Ottawa's Location: Ottawa, Canada (pronounced Odd-a-wa), is the nation's capital located in the eastern region of the province of Ontario , on the south bank of the Ottawa River. Ottawa borders the province of Quebec, with Montreal under a three hour drive away. Queen Victoria proclaimed Ottawa the capital of Canada in 1857. But I Thought Toronto was the Capital of Canada: Though Toronto is Canada's financial capital and most populous, most visited and probably best known city, it is not the national capital. Ottawa for Visitors: Ottawa is a charming city to visit. This Canadian capital has a cultured, yet friendly atmosphere and is steeped in history. So much of Ottawa’s allure is due to the well-planned city that is pedestrian friendly and human in scale. The many historic buildings – most prominently the Parliament Building and the Château Laurier – are lovingly preserved.

Other Ottawa attractions include the Rideau Canal - which in below freezing weather turns into the the world's biggest skating rink - the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilization . continue reading below our video America's Best Foodie Cities Events and holidays are celebrated in style, with Canada Day , the Tulip Festival and Winterlude three annual Ottawa highlights. Though Ottawa is a wealthy city, it is one of the most affordable for visitors. Like many other national capitals, such as Washington, D.C. or Paris, France , Ottawa has historic architecture and government buildings that are free or inexpensive to visit. Getting to Ottawa: By Car: Ottawa is about a six hour drive northeast of Buffalo, five from Toronto , and a three hour drive west of Montreal. By Plane: Ottawa has an international airport (YOW) about 25 minutes outside of the downtown. Flights leave regularly from the Toronto International Airport or Billy Bishop Airport . By Train: Several VIA Rail trains run between Toronto and Ottawa daily. The trip takes on average four and a half hours. Free WiFi is available during your journey.

TIckets range in price from the $40 -$50 dollar range to over $100 one way, depending on your class of travel: economy or business. Climate: Ottawa temperatures can range from 33°C (91°F) in summer to -40°C (-40°F) in winter, with average summer temperatures around 20°C (68°F) and average winter temperatures around -10°C (14°F). Language: English and French are the predominant languages spoken in Ottawa, though English slightly more so. However, the city is multicultural, with approximately a quarter of the population born in other countries. Read more about language in Canada . Population: Approximately 865,000 people live within the city limits Economy: Ottawa's economy is relatively stable and centred around two major industries, government and high-tech. The average family income is the highest of Canada's largest cities and the quality of life ranked among the top 20 in the world (Mercer Human Resources International).

Capital of Canada - Capital City of Canada - Capital of the Canada Home | Capital of Canada Capital of Canada On December 31, 1857, Queen Victoria was asked to choose a common capital for the Province of Canada, now Ontario and Quebec and chose Ottawa. While Ottawa is now a major metropolis and Canada's fourth largest city, at that time it was a sometimes unruly logging town in the hinterland, far away from the colony's main cities, Quebec City and Montreal in Canada East, and Kingston and Toronto in Canada West. The Queen's advisers suggested her and she pick Ottawa for several important reasons. It was the only settlement of any significant size located right on the border of Canada East and Canada West, now Quebec and Ontario, making it a compromise between the two colonies and their French and English populations. The War of 1812 had shown how vulnerable major Canadian cities were to American attack, since they were all located very close to the border, while Ottawa was then surrounded by dense forest far from the border. The government owned a large parcel of land on a spectacular spot overlooking the Ottawa River.

Ottawa's position in the back country made it more defensible, while still allowing easy transportation over the Ottawa River to Canada East, and over the Rideau Canal to Canada West. Two other considerations were that Ottawa was at a point nearly exactly midway between Toronto and Quebec City (500 kilometers), and that the small size of the town made it less likely that politically motivated mobs could go on a rampage and destroy government buildings, as had happened in the previous Canadian capitals. The Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal network meant that Ottawa could be supplied by water from Kingston and Montreal without going along the potentially treacherous US-Canada border. At the time of the decision, the Ottawa-to-Prescott, Ontario railway had already been in operation for two years. Thus, another factor in the advisement was the knowledge that Ottawa would soon have railway connections to Toronto and Montreal via Brockville, and thus access to other connecting rail lines in Canada and the United States in the very near future. Thus, Ottawa would still be relatively isolated and thus defensible, but yet would soon be more easily accessible by water and rail, which would be essential for a permanent capital. What is the capital of Canada? | Reference.com What is the capital of Canada?

A: Quick Answer The capital city of Canada is Ottawa, which is located in the province of Ontario. Ottawa is Canada's fourth largest city with a population exceeding more than 900,000 residents. This city was selected by Queen Victoria as the capital in mid-19th century. Full Answer It is bordered by the Ottawa River to the north, while Rideau Canal and Rideau River meander north to south through the city. The Ottawa region is 2,796 square kilometers (1,800 square miles). The city is found at latitude 45° 22' N and longitude 75° 43' W and is 114 metres (374 feet) above sea level. It is a bilingual city with both French- and English-speaking residents. Cities close to Ottawa include Montreal, Toronto and Quebec. Discover Canada Discover Canada The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship Canada’s Regions Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship - Canada's Regions Duration: 14 minutes, 23 seconds. Read by Geraint Wyn Davies . Download this chapter: MP3 You can also download all of Discover Canada as a single file. The audio may take a moment to load.

In order to maximize the functionality of this page, please turn on Javascript . is now a tourist attraction and winter skateway [ See larger version ] Canada is the second largest country on earth—10 million square kilometres. Three oceans line Canada’s frontiers: the Pacific Ocean in the west, the Atlantic Ocean in the east, and the Arctic Ocean to the north. Along the southern edge of Canada lies the Canada-United States boundary. Both Canada and the U.S.A. are committed to a safe, secure and efficient frontier The Regions of Canada Canada includes many different geographical areas and five distinct regions. The Atlantic Provinces The Northern Territories The National Capital Ottawa, located on the Ottawa River, was chosen as the capital in 1857 by Queen Victoria, the great-great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II. Today it is Canada’s fourth largest metropolitan area. The National Capital Region, 4,700 square kilometres surrounding Ottawa, preserves and enhances the area’s built heritage and natural environment. Provinces and Territories Canada has ten provinces and three territories. Each province and territory has its own capital city. You should know the capital of your province or territory as well as that of Canada. Population Canada has a population of about 34 million people.

While the majority live in cities, Canadians also live in small towns, rural areas and everywhere in between. Peggy’s Cove harbour, Nova Scotia Ottawa: The Capital of Canada The Atlantic provinces Atlantic Canada’s coasts and natural resources, including fishing, farming, forestry and mining, have made these provinces an important part of Canada’s history and development. The Atlantic Ocean brings cool winters and cool humid summers. Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador is the most easterly point in North America and has its own time zone. In addition to its natural beauty, the province has a unique heritage linked to the sea. The oldest colony of the British Empire and a strategic prize in Canada’s early history, the province has long been known for its fisheries, coastal fishing villages and distinct culture. Today off-shore oil and gas extraction contributes a substantial part of the economy. Labrador also has immense hydro-electric resources. Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island ( P.E.I. ) is the smallest province, known for its beaches, red soil and agriculture, especially potatoes. P.E.I. is the birthplace of Confederation, connected to mainland Canada by one of the longest continuous multispan bridges in the world, the Confederation Bridge.

Anne of Green Gables, set in P.E.I. by Lucy Maud Montgomery, is a much-loved story about the adventures of a little red-headed orphan girl. Nova Scotia Nova Scotia is the most populous Atlantic Province, with a rich history as the gateway to Canada. Known for the world’s highest tides in the Bay of Fundy , the province’s identity is linked to shipbuilding, fisheries and shipping. As Canada’s largest east coast port, deep-water and ice-free, the capital, Halifax, has played an important role in Atlantic trade and defence and is home to Canada’s largest naval base. Nova Scotia has a long history of coal mining, forestry and agriculture. Today there is also off-shore oil and gas exploration. The province’s Celtic and Gaelic traditions sustain a vibrant culture. Nova Scotia is home to over 700 annual festivals, including the spectacular military tattoo in Halifax. New Brunswick Situated in the Appalachian Range, the province was founded by the United Empire Loyalists and has the second largest river system on North America’s Atlantic coastline, the St. John River system. Forestry, agriculture, fisheries, mining, food processing and tourism are the principal industries.

Saint John is the largest city, port and manufacturing centre; Moncton is the principal Francophone Acadian centre; and Fredericton, the historic capital. New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province, and about one-third of the population lives and works in French. The province’s pioneer Loyalist and French cultural heritage and history come alive in street festivals and traditional music. Central Canada More than half the people in Canada live in cities and towns near the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River in southern Quebec and Ontario, known as Central Canada and the industrial and manufacturing heartland. Southern Ontario and Quebec have cold winters and warm humid summers. Together, Ontario and Quebec produce more than three-quarters of all Canadian manufactured goods. Quebec Nearly eight million people live in Quebec, the vast majority along or near the St. Lawrence River. More than three-quarters speak French as their first language. The resources of the Canadian Shield have helped Quebec to develop important industries, including forestry, energy and mining. Quebec is Canada’s main producer of pulp and paper. The province’s huge supply of fresh water has made it Canada’s largest producer of hydro-electricity. Quebecers are leaders in cutting-edge industries such as pharmaceuticals and aeronautics.

Quebec films, music, literary works and food have international stature, especially in La Francophonie, an association of French-speaking nations. Montreal, Canada’s second largest city and the second largest mainly French-speaking city in the world after Paris, is famous for its cultural diversity. Ontario At more than 12 million, the people of Ontario make up more than one-third of Canadians. The large and culturally diverse population, natural resources and strategic location contribute to a vital economy. Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the country’s main financial centre. Many people work in the service or manufacturing industries, which produce a large percentage of Canada’s exports. The Niagara region is known for its vineyards, wines and fruit crops. Ontario farmers raise dairy and beef cattle, poultry, and vegetable and grain crops. Founded by United Empire Loyalists, Ontario also has the largest Frenchspeaking population outside of Quebec, with a proud history of preserving their language and culture. There are five Great Lakes located between Ontario and the United States: Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan (in the U.S.A. ) and Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world.

The Prairie Provinces Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta are the Prairie Provinces, rich in energy resources and some of the most fertile farmland in the world. The region is mostly dry, with cold winters and hot summers. Manitoba Manitoba’s economy is based on agriculture, mining and hydro-electric power generation. The province’s most populous city is Winnipeg, whose Exchange District includes the most famous street intersection in Canada, Portage and Main. Winnipeg’s French Quarter, St. Boniface, has Western Canada’s largest Francophone community at 45,000. Manitoba is also an important centre of Ukrainian culture, with 14% reporting Ukrainian origins, and the largest Aboriginal population of any province, at over 15%. Saskatchewan Saskatchewan, once known as the “breadbasket of the world” and the “wheat province,” has 40% of the arable land in Canada and is the country’s largest producer of grains and oilseeds. It also boasts the world’s richest deposits of uranium and potash, used in fertilizer, and produces oil and natural gas. Regina, the capital, is home to the training academy of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Saskatoon, the largest city, is the headquarters of the mining industry and an important educational, research and technology centre. Alberta Alberta is the most populous Prairie province. The province, and the world-famous Lake Louise in the Rocky Mountains, were both named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. Alberta has five national parks, including Banff National Park, established in 1885. The rugged Badlands house some of the world’s richest deposits of prehistoric fossils and dinosaur finds. Alberta is the largest producer of oil and gas, and the oil sands in the north are being developed as a major energy source. Alberta is also renowned for agriculture, especially for the vast cattle ranches that make Canada one of the world’s major beef producers. The West Coast British Columbia is known for its majestic mountains and as Canada’s Pacific gateway. The Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest and busiest, handles billions of dollars in goods traded around the world. Warm airstreams from the Pacific Ocean give the B.C. coast a temperate climate. British Columbia British Columbia ( B.C. ), on the Pacific coast, is Canada’s western most province, with a population of four million.

The Port of Vancouver is our gateway to the Asia-Pacific. About one-half of all the goods produced in B.C. are forestry products, including lumber, newsprint, and pulp and paper products—the most valuable forestry industry in Canada. B.C. is also known for mining, fishing, and the fruit orchards and wine industry of the Okanagan Valley. B.C. has the most extensive park system in Canada, with approximately 600 provincial parks. The province’s large Asian communities have made Chinese and Punjabi the most spoken languages in the cities after English. The capital, Victoria, is a tourist centre and headquarters of the navy’s Pacific fleet. The Northern Territories The Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon contain one-third of Canada’s land mass but have a population of only 100,000. There are gold, lead, copper, diamond and zinc mines. Oil and gas deposits are being developed. The North is often referred to as the “Land of the Midnight Sun” because at the height of summer, daylight can last up to 24 hours. In winter, the sun disappears and darkness sets in for three months. The Northern territories have long cold winters and short cool summers.

Much of the North is made up of tundra, the vast rocky Arctic plain. Because of the cold Arctic climate, there are no trees on the tundra and the soil is permanently frozen. Some continue to earn a living by hunting, fishing and trapping. Inuit art is sold throughout Canada and around the world. Yukon Thousands of miners came to the Yukon during the Gold Rush of the 1890s, as celebrated in the poetry of Robert W. Service. Mining remains a significant part of the economy. The White Pass and Yukon Railway opened from Skagway in neighbouring Alaska to the territorial capital, Whitehorse in 1900 and provides a spectacular tourist excursion across precipitous passes and bridges. Yukon holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada (-63°C). Mount Logan, located in the Yukon, is the highest mountain in Canada. It is named in honour of Sir William Logan, a world-famous geologist, born in Montreal in 1798 to Scottish immigrant parents.

Logan founded and directed the Geological Survey of Canada from 1842 to 1869 and is considered one of Canada’s greatest scientists [ See larger version ] Northwest Territories The Northwest Territories ( N.W.T. ) were originally made up in 1870 from Rupert’s Land and the North-Western Territory. The capital, Yellowknife (population 20,000), is called the “diamond capital of North America.” More than half the population is Aboriginal (Dene, Inuit and Métis). The Mackenzie River, at 4,200 kilometres, is the second-longest river system in North America after the Mississippi and drains an area of 1.8 million square kilometres. Nunavut Nunavut, meaning “our land” in Inuktitut, was established in 1999 from the eastern part of the Northwest Territories, including all of the former District of Keewatin. The capital is Iqaluit, formerly Frobisher Bay, named after the English explorer Martin Frobisher, who penetrated the uncharted Arctic for Queen Elizabeth I in 1576. The 19-member Legislative Assembly chooses a premier and ministers by consensus.

The population is about 85% Inuit, and Inuktitut is an official language and the first language in schools. (From left to right) An Inuit boy in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, uses a pellet gun to hunt for birds The caribou (reindeer) is popular game for hunters and a symbol of Canada’s North Hull | Quebec, Canada | Britannica.com Quebec, Canada Vancouver Hull, former city, Outaouais region, southwestern Quebec province, Canada . It lies on the north bank of the Ottawa River , opposite Ottawa , Ont. Originating in the early 19th century as a lumbering settlement named for Hull, Yorkshire, Eng., the city grew to become the chief business and administrative centre for southwestern Quebec and the industrial centre for metropolitan Ottawa. In 2002 Hull was merged into the adjacent city of Gatineau , becoming, along with three other nearby former cities, a section of the larger entity. Abundant timber resources and hydroelectric power from Chaudière Falls support large pulp, paper, and match factories. Other industries include printing, meat-packing, and the manufacture of cement, textiles, steel, clothing, and furniture.

The seat of a Roman Catholic diocese is located there. Learn More in these related articles: Quebec (province, Canada) eastern province of Canada. Constituting nearly one-sixth of Canada’s total land area, Quebec is the largest of Canada’s 10 provinces in size and is second only to Ontario in population. Its capital, Quebec city, is the oldest city in Canada. The name Quebec, first bestowed on the... Ottawa (national capital, Canada) city, capital of Canada, located in southeastern Ontario. In the eastern extreme of the province, Ottawa is situated on the south bank of the Ottawa River across from Gatineau, Quebec, at the confluence of the Ottawa (Outaouais), Gatineau, and Rideau rivers. The Ottawa River (some 790 miles [1,270... Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind.

Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions. Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Close Date Published: August 20, 2008 URL: Access Date: January 19, 2017 Share

Question: Ottawa is the national capitol of Canada. In what province is Ottawa located?
Answer: Ontario